Farmers’ markets are fantastic because they offer such unique produce. Sure, you can purchase your typical apples and carrots, but interesting plants like cranberry beans (above), green plums, or yellow string beans (below) are also available at a fair price.

The 125th Street Farmers’ Market is a project of Governor Cuomo’s FreshConnect initiative to bring fresh food from New York farms to underserved communities throughout New York. Almost 1.5 million New Yorkers live in an area with limited grocery store access, also known as “food deserts.” FreshConnect aims to combat this problem through the “FreshConnect Checks” program. The project provides a $2 rebate check for every $5 in SNAP benefits (formerly known as “Food Stamps”) spent at the market. This means thateveryonecan have access to local, sustainably-grown, delicious food.

What we love here at Marcus Samuelsson Group about farmers’ markets is how they connect us to nature. We live in New York City surrounded by concrete instead of soil, skyscrapers instead of trees. Sometimes we forget there’s a whole natural world out there! Farmers’ markets connect us to the environment in a very tangible and delicious way. We’re reminded of how scrumptious seasonal produce can be.

We hope to see you at the 125th Street Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays through November 25, 2104 from 10 am to 7 pm, rain or shine on the corner of 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.!

With all of the amazing chefs, restaurants, food carts, and everything delicious in between, it’s hard to keep a complete healthy diet. Everyday, a new chef is born, a new meal is created, and a new dining option is widely available. It gets to be a bit much sometimes, keeping up with not only the Joneses, but also keeping up with everything the food world has to offer. Now more than ever, it’s important to not only know where our food source is coming from but to also know key factors when it comes to feeding ourselves and our families. You always hear words like “grassfeed” and “sustainability” but do we really know what any of these words mean? Here are a few key definitions to help you eat better.Read More

Last week, the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in New York held its fifth annual Green Summit, an annual event aimed at addressing the world’s biggest sustainability challenges. The theme of the occasion was sustainable eating, specifically focusing on the issue of “How to Feed a City.” Presided over by Green Summit Patron H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the day’s sessions tackled the concept of “From Farm to Fork” from a multitude of angles, including panels on corporate supply chains and changing public opinions on food and eating. Read More

By Jeannette | March 6, 2012

Many people are accustomed to going to their local grocery store and picking up fruits and vegetables that have been processed through conventional methods. More often than not, these products have gone through a series of chemical spraying, which keeps parasitic pests from cluttering around the food consumers eat. Some critics have voiced health concerns over this procedure but concede that these products are affordable to those who cannot purchase healthier food. One organization, the Rodale Institute, is determined to change the perception that only the rich can afford organic food and that organic farming is not sustainable.

Headquartered in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, the Rodale Institute is a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting organic agriculture and farming through research and outreach. Its Farming Systems Trial, for instance, compares conventional chemical agriculture with organic farming. The institute also offers workshops, tours and programs geared at raising awareness about the benefits of growing food organically.

We got an inside look at the workings of The Rodale Institute through an interview with the organization’s executive director, Coach Mark Smallwood. Check out what he had to say about their mission… Read More

According to the Wall Street Journal, the two sides agreed to recognize each other’s certificates on organic products. The move will make it more convenient for the E.U. and the U.S. to engage in a market that is worth approximately $50 billion. “This partnership will open new markets for American farmers and ranchers, create more opportunities for small businesses, and result in good jobs for Americans who package, ship, and market organic products,” said Kathleen Merrigan, the U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary. Read More

By admin | January 6, 2012

At what cost do out of season organic tomatoes get delivered to your market thousands of miles away? While organic agriculture is all the rage, growing by leaps and bounds to meet increased consumer demand for healthier food, the products are increasingly removed from the traditional organic ideal: produce that is not only free of chemicals and pesticides but also grown locally on small farms in a way that protects the environment.

Community Supported Agricultures (CSA’s) have become increasingly popular in the past few years, but when it comes to purchasing items like tomatoes or blueberries in a state like New York during this time of year, consumers often have to rely on grocery store produce that are imported from south of the border. This time of year, the tomatoes, peppers and basil certified as organic by the Agriculture Department often hail from the Mexican desert, and are nurtured with intensive irrigation. Read More

By admin | September 7, 2011

Photo: Mat McDermott

Get ready to see the coolest (and hottest) ice cream truck you have ever laid eyes on!Â Solar energy company, Sungevity, just launched the Sungevity Ice Pop Truck to carry across the country free popsicles and news about their Rooftop Revolution. The truck not only passes out free organic ice pops, created by GoodPop, but also information for customers on how easy and affordable it is to bring solar energy into their homes. Read More

By admin | July 21, 2011

Photo: Arielle Hartman

After all the working, running, cooking, calling, texting, emailing, and trying to stay on top of current events we all do in our everyday lives, that much anticipated summer vacation seems like a beacon of hope and relaxation, pushing us forward through our hectic weeks.Â My ideal vacations included gently worn, beachside cottages, epic road trips with friends, Read More

By admin | July 20, 2011

Antibiotics are microorganisms used to kill or slow down the growth of bacteria and to help your body recuperate from illness. They are also sometimes used in animal feed to fatten pigs or speed up the growth of chickens. However, overuse of antibiotics can lower their effectiveness. Read More

Newsletter

By Suzannah Schneider

Meet the Team

Whether it’s finding the best goat tacos in LA, spotting a well-worn vintage bag in Sweden, or interviewing the “crab man” selling seafood on a corner in Harlem, we tell stories seen from Chef Marcus Samuelsson‘s point of view. MarcusSamuelsson.com strives to create conversations about food, nutrition, culture, art, and design. We want to find Read More